Dance Alive National Ballet (DANB) announced the recent acquisition of four works by acclaimed artist John A. O’Connor, expanding the permanent collection of the new Dance Alive Khoury Family Center for the Arts.
The collection includes “Swan Lake/Black Swan,” “Mozart,” “Sleight of Hand” and “Arabella.” The works were donated by John and Mallory O’Connor and will become part of the center’s growing collection of fine art, according to a Dance Alive press release.
O’Connor is recognized for creating works that celebrate movement, storytelling and the human spirit. His paintings are known for their emotional depth, dynamic compositions and ability to capture the beauty and energy of live performance, qualities that align with Dance Alive National Ballet’s mission.
The organization said the addition of the paintings will enhance the cultural experience at the Khoury Family Center for the Arts while inspiring students, artists, patrons and visitors. The collection also reflects the center’s commitment to artistic excellence, creativity and community engagement.
DANB expressed its appreciation to the O’Connors for their generosity and longstanding support of the arts, noting that the donation will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
The O’Connor works join a growing collection of artwork displayed at the Khoury Family Center for the Arts. Recent acquisitions include four works by Hiram Williams, designer of Dance Alive’s iconic Pofahl “legs” logo, three bronze sculptures by Andrew DeVries, a lithograph by Paul Cadmus and works by several noted artists from the Gainesville and Alachua County area.
The expanding collection is intended to complement the center’s mission of celebrating dance and the visual arts while creating an inspiring environment for the community.